The New Cannes Office!

It was a momentous occasion when the Boatbookings team up-rooted itself from its previous office location in Sophia Antipolis to return to Cannes and a new office at 47 Avenue St Louis – a sign of Boatbookings continued expansion and success in the yacht industry.

It is important for us to be in Cannes because it means we are right on top of what is going on on the French Riviera. It means we can solidify our already close links with suppliers and CA’s and can react to any problems by going direct to to their office. It is but a ten minute walk to the port and we can see and board the very yachts that we are proposing to our clients. This is so important as it means we have first hand knowledge of these yachts; their strengths and weaknesses and means we can select the perfect yacht for a clients charter. For example, Rhino – a Riva Domino 86 is ever present in the Cannes port and we regularly walk past her distinctive lines and unique colour. She comes highly recommended here at Boatbookings!

Our fun and dynamic team made light work of the mountain of chairs and tables that needed assembling, and by the end of the afternoon we were standing in a brand new office – ready for a busy summer ahead!

Why not check out our site at www.boatbookings.com. We welcome everyone from sailing professionals to complete novices and will help you at every step of the way to make your dreams a reality. We have a team of highly skilled professionals who are extremely knowledgeable in their destinations and will be able to help you with any questions you may have.

Watch this space for the latest industry show releases, news and gossip in the yachting world. If you liked the content on this page and our previous posts, please become a fan and like our Facebook page to receive up to date information on our publications. Follow us on Twitter and Google Plus too.

Posted on March 6, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

A Sample Itinerary For You Luxury Yacht Charter on the French Riviera!

Day One: Cannes, Mandelieu-La Napoule, Théoule-sur-Mer, St Raphael
Heading out of Cannes, you can see the beaches of La Boca stretching along to Mandelieu and La Napoule. Pull out your binoculars to look at the beautiful, romantic and eccentric 14th century Chateau de La Napoule. Keep the binoculars out to inspect other architectural oddities along the coast in Theoule sur Mer, including another Chateau and the sci-fi looking Palais Bulles (Palace of Bubbles).

Tack away from the coast to take in the stunning Massif de l’Estérel. This massive red rock formation is a natural wonder to sail past, and a welcome break from the glitz and glamour of Cannes. Relax and enjoy the afternoon sun as you round the Massif and the outlying rocks jutting out of the blue sea. As you round these red rocks, come into the Port of St Raphael, Port Sant Lucia.

IMG_1061e

Stop in historic St Raphael for a night in the port, recharge your batteries. The centre of town is a short walk from the port, well worth exploring. Alternatively, if Saint Raphael is too much of a stretch for your sea legs, there is the charming Rade d’Agay providing sheltered moorings from the Mediterranean swell. It is best to have provisions on board if you don’t fancy a quick trip to shore to sample some of the beachside restaurants.

Day Two: Gulf of St Tropez
From San Raphael, the Gulf of St Tropez is a short sail west and down the coast. You can head out to sea and take advantage of the wind before heading into the Gulf. Admire the super yachts lying in wait near the mouth of the Port of St Tropez before heading further up and into the Gulf. Admire the northern ports of the lagoon like Port Grimaud and Medieval Cogolin before heading back to berth in St Tropez.

St tropez

Day Three: Cap Camarat, Cavalaire-sur-Mer, Le Lavandou
Leaving the famed area of St Tropez astern, head around Cap Camarat, taking in more incredible views of rock crevices and sheer drops on the Corniche des Maures before coming around the cap to Cavalaire sur Mer. Here you can drop anchor and enjoy lunch in the afternoon sun while watching boats coming to and from the Îles des Hyères. Le Lavandou is a short sail across the bay and an ideal spot to spend the night.

Day Four: Ile de Levant, Port-Cros, Ile de Porquerolles, Hyères
Set sail for a day island hopping – French Riviera style! Legend has it that the gods transformed three swimming princesses into these islands, and the results are stunning when viewed from the sea. Ile du Levant and Port Cros are best viewed from the sea, given that one is a national park and the other a nudist colony. The largest of the three islands, Porquerolles offers some beautiful bays for swimming and taking lunch. Despite its tourist pull, it is surprisingly unspoilt with white sandy beaches and beautiful woodland covering the island. A great place to stop for the night is Hyères. Once considered the Côte d’Azur’s premier resort, Hyères has managed to retain its charm and colonial air.

french riviera sunset

Day Five: Hyères to St Maxime
Prepare yourself for another day at sea; enjoy incredible views as you start your return journey back to Cannes. Choose to stop for an early lunch or late breakfast at one of the islands before continuing around the Cap Camarat. Take advantage of the winds and really enjoy a great sail back up the coast to berth in Ste Maxime. This charming holiday town just across the mouth of the Gulf of St Tropez is a lovely place to stop for the night and explore. Wander through cobbled streets and enjoy a real sense of being on holiday. Street markets in the evening and a large variety of sea food restaurants make Ste Maxime a great stop on your return trip back up the coast.

Day Six: Ste Maxime to Fréjus
Enjoy the facilities of the port of Ste Maxime for the morning and take in breakfast at one of the portside cafés before gently heading back up the coast to Fréjus. Take in the stunning views of the coast or head out to sea and enjoy the wind in your sails before heading to Fréjus, a quaint town dating back to the Romans.

Day Seven: Fréjus – Iles de Lérins – Cannes
Leaving the sands of Fréjus behind, head back up the familiar coastline of the Cote d’Azur, make the most of your last day at sea by stopping off at the Iled de Lérins, just before you return to Cannes. Ste Marguérite and St Honorat are idyllic islands, away from the hustle and bustle of Cannes. Ile Ste Marguérite is home to Fort Royal, famous as the home of the Main in the Iron Mask.

Looking for a boat to enjoy these beautiful sights on? MAYAMA, a fabulous Couach 3000 Fly is a brilliant choice. Accommodating up to 8 guests in 4 cabins, she is available to charter from €54,000 a week. One of the best points of MAYAMA is her flybridge; these are always popular as they provide a perfect viewpoint wherever you may be along the Cote d’Azur. She is also great if at any point you want to welcome a few more friends on board – accommodating up to 36 guests at dock you cam go ahead and plan a party!

Relax and enjoy your trip along the French Riviera, before disembarking the boat a little browner, thoroughly relaxed with some great memories and ready to contact us for your next charter! At www.boatbookings.com, we welcome everyone from sailing professionals to complete novices and will help you at every step of the way to make your dreams a reality. We have a team of highly skilled professionals who are extremely knowledgeable in their destinations and will be able to help you with any questions you may have.

Posted on March 6, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

A Guide to Belize: Charming Caye Caulker on your Luxury Catamaran Charter

Following on from our recent guide to Placencia, we are working our way through the other gorgeous islands and cays of Belize! We had a great time exploring Placencia and this is a wonderful area to visit on your luxury catamaran charter yacht. Before you get to Placencia, you should definitely stop off at Caye Caulker on your way from either Belize City or San Pedro. Occupying a fantastic spot on the reef, Caye Caulker offers incredible diving, snorkeling and swimming opportunities.

One of the most interesting features about Caye Caulker is that there are no major roads on the island. There are therefore no cars, with locals and tourists choosing to go around by either golf buggy or bicycle, making the island feel extremely charming, quiet and relaxing. There are a host of fantastic restaurants covering the island, with the majority specialising in freshly grilled or barbecued seafood and meat. The lobster in Belize is a very affordable and popular option, which is either served simply grilled or with spices, lime and ginger. As Belize sits next to Mexico, you are able to get some of the best Mexican dishes outside of the country. Breakfast favourite Huevos Rancheros, as well as Burritos, Enchiladas and Tacos can be found on the menu’s of restaurants all around the island.

So how should you spend your days on Caye Caulker? Both diving and snorkeling are the most popular activities to occupy tourists on their visit. The crystal clear waters are the best in the Western Hemisphere and are full of hundreds of different types of

fish. Two very popular snorkeling and swimming spots are at Shark Ray Alley and the Hol Chan marine reserve. You will be blown away by the warm and tranquil waters, as well as the opportunity to swim with nurse sharks and rays, which are completely harmless. The world beneath the water is truly stunning! We would also recommend an evening sailing trip to watch the sunset. If you fancy coming on land, Caye Caulker has a lot of interesting shops and street vendors, selling anything from artwork to jewellery. Make sure you head down to The Split, where you will find a great beach bar and stunning waters. If all this sounds like your perfect vacation, make sure you try Belize before everyone else hears about its beauty. Which yacht should you choose for your charter around Belize? Charter any of our Lagoon catamarans from Belize City or San Pedro for great performance, luxury and comfort.

At www.boatbookings.com, we welcome everyone from sailing professionals to complete novices and will help you at every step of the way to make your dreams a reality. We have a team of highly skilled professionals who are extremely knowledgeable in their destinations and will be able to help you with any questions you may have.

Posted on March 5, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

Possible Changes to Taxation on Your Luxury Yacht Charter

The French VAT application to charters is about to change – this is due to the Bacino decree, which now specifies that any ‘pleasure’ charter has to be taxed. In France, the VAT to be applied to charters is 19.6% of the charter fee; however this can be reduced, depending on the amount of time the yacht spends in French waters. There can be a 50% VAT reduction based on how long the yacht spends in international waters. So, a charter which starts in France, but spends a certain amount of time in international waters, will only have a taxation of 9.8%.

Rehab

The application of VAT to charters is currently under discussion, and depends on the boat’s ‘International Waters’ qualification. To define this qualification, the following criteria have been proposed in order to define the yachts:

– More than 15 metres in length
– Registered as a commercial vessel
– Permanent crew on board
– Spend more than 70% of its charters in international waters – this is classed as more than 12 nautical miles from the coast.

A vessel qualified as a ‘High Sea Vessel’, one that travels in to international waters, will have 0% VAT, whereas a vessel without this qualification will have a payment and recovery system for VAT.

These proposals are only proposals; they still have to be agreed by French authorities and the European Commission. If accepted, they shall be applied in June 2013. It has been requested that any charter contract signed before this date will not be affected by the new tax regulation.

So, are you looking to book your summer charter on the French Riviera? At www.boatbookings.com, we welcome everyone from sailing professionals to complete novices and will help you at every step of the way to make your dreams a reality. We have a team of highly skilled professionals who are extremely knowledgeable in their destinations and will be able to help you with any questions you may have.

Posted on March 5, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

Charter a Luxury Yacht in Singapore!

Singapore is a fantastic yacht charter destination with all that you could wish for on offer! As a capital of global finance, Singapore is an ideal place to charter a luxury yacht for that all important corporate event or even team building exercises! It can also have a far greater impact than just hiring another hotel meeting room.

Singapore is an ideal starting or ending point for sailing trips to Phuket, Bali or perhaps Tioman and Pulau Aur. Short day trips around the southern islands and the city skyline are also fantastic for taking a break from this multicultural metropolis. Singapore is also number 11 on New York Times’ 46 places to go in 2013 thanks to a fantastic array of colonial history, world-class shopping, beaches and cultural diversity. Guests are sure to have a fantastic charter here on your luxury yacht!

Why not charter a Broward 108 for that high quality corporate event providing 5 star quality for up to 45 VIP guests. This Singapore luxury yacht was totally refitted in 2010 and has a capacity ranging from 25 guests for a gourmet sit-down dinner, 35 guests for a seated, family-style buffet meal, or up to 45 guests for a canapes and cocktails buffet. She would be perfect for that high profile business meeting!

For more information on corporate events in Singapore click here! We welcome everyone from sailing professionals to complete novices and will help you at every step of the way to make your dreams a reality. We have a team of highly skilled professionals who are extremely knowledgeable in their destinations and will be able to help you with any questions you may have.

Posted on March 5, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓